Interesting prompts ...
to start a conversation going ...
as and when you might need one ...
a diversion to talk about

Friday, 16 October 2015

Lunch with a Victorian Botanist ...

And then there was lunch!
It was an incredibly hot day … so getting off our feet was a high
priority … a large lunch is not my forte – but I love my food!

Part of the interior ... we were sitting on this raised platform

God-daughter wanted to try out the old National Provincial
Bank, converted into a bar-restaurant: us oldies concurred! The old bank was built in 1833, but in 1869
was refurbished to the grand Victorian façade of today … Corinthian columns,
ceiling-high semi-circled topped windows.

An imposing building then … it still is … but now has a secret
story … all contrived around the life of fictional Hettie G Watson, a Victorian
botany scholar, whose wealthy father built the bank.

Our botanist: Hettie G Watson

It’s very clever – the story brings Hettie to life … albeit
she does not, nor did, exist. She appears
on walls, the decorations all reflect botanical aspects … there’s a living wall
with lots of shrubbery around.

The private room ... showing which countries of the
world Hettie has explored and the botanical
specimens she has found.

The space has been divided by Kai Design into a whimsical
interior … the imagined world of a Victorian botanist: A botanical library, a boardroom, a dining
room, a bar, an Institute of Botanics and a secret emporium.

It feels cozy, yet there’s that expanse of space … we were on
the raised platform … there’s a bar, perhaps the original cashier’s counter …
Hettie has a board room available for special meetings. While the secret emporium holds bell jars of
potions and botanical oils, and where elixirs were served to all of Hettie’s
guests.

The entrance - we were happily
drawn in ...

The new make-over for this bank as a cocktail bar-cum-dining
experience suited us – we weren’t in the cocktail mode – but the food was
excellent, as too the service. We even
survived a fire alarm having to retire outside for a few minutes …

Then we had one who desireth The Lost Gold battered fish and chips, minted pea puree and chunky
tartare sauce.

While the now graduated student had the Lost and Found Salad: mixed lettuce, pickled vegetables, quinoa,
candied beetroot, balsamic tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella balls. She did share the Sharing Platter as we'd agreed ...

Nearly all mine - this was very very good!

We were all very happy …‘cept the little one (young
god-daughter) needed a dessert … and who can say no at these times … we tried
two of Hettie’s Desserts:

Then mother and daughter both had the Chocolate Marquise,
clotted cream and vanilla wafer.

Coffee, tea and water followed – then we had to leave to get
back to the house to pack up the car and hit the motorway! I sat quietly by … but at one stage I thought
there was too much chit-chat going on upstairs and went to do a chase up!!

The entrance way to the Lost and Found pub

We did get back by 9.00 pm or so – buying a few odds and ends
to snack once we got home … cheeses, salads, and all the bad things – crisps,
olives, some cooked meats … we had a hubby to feed too. By then we needed our vino … and enjoyed our
very informal supper in the conservatory ... and did no unpacking of the car!

Well that was one of my day’s out during the summer … it was
during one of the few days when it was really hot. The final wrap up of the house was done a
week later when mother went up for another car load, and littlie stayed up to
party and say her goodbyes …

The Great Wall card I received ... clever isn't it?

… before jetting off to Beijing, China – where she had a 7
week work placement – yes she’s one bright lady and now writes in Mandarin! Then she had a three – four week travel trip.

By the time you read this …
I will hopefully have been able to catch up with her …Hope you enjoyed our lunch?Hilary Melton-ButcherPositive Letters Inspirational Stories

@ EC - it was a fun time. We've had telephone and brief email contact - with her parents too - but she's north of London and I'm down here. She's settling in and looking to the future ... so it looks like we'll have to wait a few weeks ...

@ Gattina - yes the fish and chips did look good - but L did think afterwards she should have had some thing different!

That food all looks really nice - but I'd have preferred a plate for the fish and chips.

I do approve of the slightly unconventioal use of an old bank though, especially the part about Hettie. I'm sure there must have been real women like her as the Victorians seem to have been very keen on studying varios sciences.

What a lovely outing! Everyone's food looked delicious. I've never had beetroot hummus and would love to try it. Writing Mandarin Chinese as a second language takes a lot of dedication . . . very impressive!

@ Patsy - the food was good - I guess that's their way of serving the fish and chips up - I quite liked the greaseproof paper lining!

There definitely were women like Hettie .. but I loved the concept of the fictional heroine of the Old Bank .. and the way the idea has been crafted into the concept.

@ Steve - it was a fun day and we needed some sustenance.

@ Diane - we had a wonderful couple of days and I saw Birmingham (a bit of) and we had a good catch up - before the god-child went off to China.

@ Kittie - I hadn't had beetroot hummus either .. and it was good, as too the white bean puree .. it was a good platter mix. My god-daughter has done really well with her Chinese studies - she got a first at Uni ... and they had more tuition when she was out there working. Now we'll see what happens!

@ Christine - it was a fun time and the idea of the secret botanist was just lovely ... the various places had little snippets of interest attached to them - so one could almost imagine the botanist's garden out back. Pud - is not my favourite .. but these were enjoyed!

@ Teresa - I had a lovely couple of days north of London and our trip to Birmingham was a great meet up with my goddaughter. Food wasn't bad either!

@ Holly - the food was delicious. The concept is great isn't it ... and the idea behind the Old Bank - giving it new life as Hettie's secret botanical hideaway - was great fun to see.

What a fantastic place to eat! Heck, I would have been happy just to visit, and look around... they wouldn't have even had to feed me. However, it is entirely possible that I could have been persuaded to try some of those desserts. They look delicious!

@ Joanne - it certainly was a unique interior - my poor dessert seems to be disappearing fast, now the bloggers are reaching over with their spoons! Thanks ...

@ Susan - it was a really good choice wasn't it ... the food was very good - sad Birmingham is up there, and not near here! We were good at sharing ... so we'd have been happy to share some more ... it was all delicious.

@ Susan - I know it was a fun place to 'crash' out in on such a hot day. We had such a fun time chatting away and thinking about the future - it was a perfect get together. Reminded us of South Africa - as we'd met out there.

@ Murees - they are being quite inventive with new restaurants .. so eating out can be in fascinating places. Another dessert lover!

@ Deborah - we had a lovely time - and the Victorian Botanist gave us extra things to think about .. thanks it'd be fun to meet up.

@ Annalisa - I agree with you .. it's the clever way designers convert our old buildings. I was bemused by the tale of the fictional Hettie - but couldn't find out much else than what came up here ... I'm sure if went back to the restaurant I'd find more ... but from down here ... it amuses and is such a clever idea ...

@ Robert - they were all good ...and the day was fun ...

@ ACIL - yes a proper fish .. the cod looked succulent when it was cut into ... but I'm glad I had my starter. Thanks so much - I aim to please everyone who cares to read, and all who care to comment. My first visit to Birmingham was a happy time - but I'd like to go back at some stage ... other areas to see and explore.

@ Jess - it was an interesting interior, good food and good service ... and to find Hettie was a contrived character for the bar/restaurant was an interesting take on naming a food and cocktail venue.

@ Donna - ok I'll try and send the meringue across ... might get a little wet and become soggy!! Changing the courses around could be a good idea - there's no reason we should have savoury first ... and then you'd get your dessert. I try not to eat them!

When the world is in the right mood, people behave so very cleverly and creatively. Wonderful architecture, imaginative food, young and bright students, experienced grown ups making delectable choices...... I wish we could repeat the formula in all corners of the world and never fight. Salut!

Hi Lynn - I wouldn't mind going back!! It was a special day - about to have clotted cream tonight?! It looks like it's not imported - perhaps to v expensive places!! Sorreeee - you'll have to visit?! Cheers Hilary

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key!